Trail Running!

Yesterday, I went on my first trail run. It was amazing! I went to Morris Bridge Park in Tampa, FL (about 45 minutes away from where I live).

Not only was the weather finally amazing (about 71 degrees, as opposed to the usual 90+), but the trails were shaded and cool. I had a feeling I would like trail running better than road running (due to reading all the various blogs (check out Vanessa Runs; it's great!) about trail running and reading descriptions in Born to Run) and it was definitely better.

Instead of running on pavement with a bunch of other runners (as I usually do) I was running with just my SO. There were a few others on the trail (bicyclists) but those were few and far between. I was really out there in nature and loving every minute of it! There is just something about the serenity of the wilderness and the feeling of roots and dirt under your feet that makes you feel like a kid again.

I wore my Vibrams and they were great...except for the one time I accidentally stepped on a sharp and pointy rock (my foot is still a little sore where the rock hit my foot) but all in all, I am injury free and it was a long run (for me). I did about 8 miles in total, but I did not run the whole time. I alternated between walking and running, but 8 miles is still the longest I have ever gone (in regular running shoes or not). I normally force myself to run the entire time I am out...but this time I didn't feel the need to. I stopped for water, stopped to catch my breath, and stopped to take pictures. I did not want to push myself too hard and risking doing TMTS, so I listened to my body and walked when I needed it.*** Took 120 minutes, so it was a great workout (I always wear my Heart Rate Monitor).

Today, my calf muscles are a bit sore, but nothing too bad and definitely not as bad as when I first started wearing the Vibrams. So, there will be no running today (hopefully tomorrow). I don't know how I can go back to road running, as there aren't really any good trails in my immediate vicinity.

***I should also point out that I have worn my Vibrams to theme parks and have worn them for 6-8 hours at a time and, when not wearing Vibrams, I mostly wear Chuck Taylors, so I am definitely working on conditioning my muscles. I would probably not recommend going all crazy and doing 8 miles after a relatively short period of time, though.

Below are some pictures from the run:





Always remember to Run Smiley! :)

Shoes Hurt!

I am a minimalist runner. Or, more accurately, I am trying to become one.

I started out as a “shod” runner after going through the process of having my gait analyzed (I overpronate) and purchasing a pair of stability running shoes. I’ll be honest and state that I initially loved them. This was mostly due to the fact that when I began running in January of 2011 (using a program called Couch-to-5K) I started in shoes that were definitely NOT made for running. Thus, I had some knee issues, so when I purchased the stability shoes it felt like I was running on clouds.

Then I needed replacement shoes a mere 3 months later (I am hard on shoes) and they had already upgraded the model. So, I purchased the newest model and thought they seemed fine, at first. Then I started to up my mileage (I am trying to train for my first half marathon) and I got up to 5 miles. After that five mile run, I got a pretty painful foot injury. Of course, this could have been a case of TMTS (Too Much Too Soon) because I had taken a few days off from running and then did the five mile run (previously my longest run was a little over 4 miles).

The pain started near the ball of my left foot (on the outside and underneath) and ended in front of my heel. I could not locate the pain by touching or pressing on my foot, but could not walk without limping. In addition, I started to experience Plantar Fasciitis symptoms on my right foot.

I thought I had done too much or perhaps the new model was not good for me (they changed the heel cup a bit and I bought the regular width, whereas my first pair had been 2E, as I had lost weight). I may have forgotten to mention it, but I am overweight, as well. I started running at about 95 pounds overweight and I am now about 35 pounds overweight. So, I am sure that may have played a part in my foot issues, as well.

I went to a Sports Medicine doctor who X-Rayed both feet and said the bones were fine, but that I definitely do not have “runner’s” feet. I have mid to low arches, lack of motion in my ankles, and I overpronate (according to him). He said, of course, I can still run, but to take it slow and wear orthotics in all of my shoes except for my running shoes, as he states that the running shoes already offered enough support. He also said he did not know what was wrong with my foot but said possible tendonitis and he gave me a prescription for some topical anti-inflammatory cream and told me I should be fine in a few days.

Well, a few days passed and my foot was still bothering me. I did not run during this time. I did notice, however, that it was better when I was barefoot. Then, I went on a hiking trip to Stone Mountain, GA. I tried to hike up the mountain wearing shoes, but my foot still hurt.

So, I took off my shoes and hiked the mountain barefoot with no pain.

I purchased Born to Run for the drive home from GA and it made me want to capture the joy of running. It also made me realize that maybe it was the shoes giving me issues and that there might be a reason why my foot does not hurt when I am sans supportive shoes. It may have also made me want to be an Ultra Runner, but I am definitely nowhere near that caliber of a runner…yet.

I purchased some Vibrams (Bikala LS) and I love them because they do not make my feet hurt. I did my research and, although most say to start out completely barefoot and then transition to a minimalist shoe, that seems very difficult for me, personally. I would like to try barefooting, but it is uncomfortable to do so. At this time, I am trying to run successfully in the Vibrams.

I did wear the Vibrams for walking a few times before trying a run. I wore them while hiking and while walking around an amusement park. I did experience the calf pain that everyone refers to when wearing minimalist shoes or going barefoot (this is due to the fact that traditional shoes have a raised heel and, thus, they shorten your Achilles Tendon and calf muscles). So, once you are walking in a natural position, your calf muscles feel it since they are not accustomed to this.

After the heinous pain subsided (after about 3 days), I went for a short run (about ¼ of a mile) and it felt pretty great. I was landing on the balls of my feet with my heels lightly touching the ground. It was a whole new experience as when I wear shoes, I am a heavy heel-striker and pretty flat-footed when I run. My steps were so light, comparatively, that my breathing was heavier than my step!

I have since gone for about 4 more runs with the Vibrams and am now up to 2 miles in them. My calf muscles do not hurt any longer, but may do so when I try to up my mileage more. Best of all, my foot does not hurt when I run!

I will keep this blog updated so that people, if they so choose, can follow the (mis)adventures of an overweight (that will change soon) minimalist (oh and did I mention, S L O W) runner.